'Freedom at a terrible price'

"Although dedicated to the fallen in Afghanistan, I guess it's a representation of the commitment and courage of the Australian digger over generations," he said.

"It's here to remind people that the freedoms and liberties we seem to hold so dearly, and yet often tend to take for granted, come at a terrible price - we mustn't forget that.

"The Avenue of Honour over the years will constantly remind generations of that fact."

Mr Chuck, whose son's funeral was held at Lake Tinaroo, says the project "started with humble beginnings" but then grew to be one of national significance.

"Thousands of people turned up to pay their respects to Benjamin of course, but not just to Benjamin - to all those soldiers that are out there, in this case in Afghanistan and all those that haven't come back from the conflict," he said.

"Over the years there's been lots of suggestions as to what perhaps should be done to mark that occasion. In the end, it was decided that a living memorial, an avenue of trees, should be planted."

But Mr Chuck says the project quickly "grew tenfold".

It's here to remind people that the freedoms and liberties we seem to hold so dearly, and yet often tend to take for granted, come at a terrible price.

Gordon Chuck

"The project has grown enormously, driven by the enthusiasm of firstly the region, the state, and then national interest," he said.

"It was then that the expectation was for a memorial of national significance and we knew then we had to deliver something of a world standard.

"We had to ensure that our vision could be met in that time, and I'm happy to say the enormous support by so many has enabled us to do just that."

Mr Chuck says the avenue stretches about 350 metres along the side of the banks of Lake Tinaroo on a peninsula, with a backdrop of water and mountains.

"There are about 70 flame trees planted here and although not mature yet, in the years to come they will flower for three or four months of the year, specifically around November - Remembrance Day," he said.

"There are plaques for the fallen soldiers on an honour board."

Mr Chuck says there is underground lighting the whole way down the avenue, a memorial monument and also a monument for the bomb detection dogs.

'Flight of spirit'

He says there is a 2.6 metre-high shade structure made of beaten steel by a local firm in Cairns in the shape of two "beautiful wings".

Mr Chuck says one wing is substantially damaged on purpose.

"It's quite powerful, it's very strong and the theme is on flight of spirit," he said.

"The symbolism there is to represent undaunted spirit, which we believe encompasses what these men go to war with."

Mr Chuck says the avenue has a different strength to other war memorials.

"The great thing about this is it's here all day and all night, every day and every night, for whoever," he said.

"Its significance there is its accessibility and its usability by everybody - that I think will be its great strength.

"I think a lot of the returned servicemen, particularly from this conflict, particularly coming both with both internal and external injuries, will choose to come here and enjoy the calm, the tranquillity, and reflect on their mates and themselves and who they are."

Local Mayor Rosa Lee Long says the memorial has put the Tablelands community on the map, both nationally and internationally.

"We expect that over the coming years we'll have many a visitor from Australia and overseas, interstate, international," she said.

"It'll be a great memorial and remembrance of the services of our people we've sent over to Afghanistan."

Alan Pickering, president for RSL Queensland's far north district sub-branch, says the memorial is perhaps the only one in Australia dedicated to the Afghanistan conflict.

"The memorial is significant not only to the district, but to the RSL, because it is one of the few - if not the only - Afghanistan memorial in Australia today," he said.

"It was put together through the wishes and tenacity of a bereaved family - the Chuck family - who have done a tremendous job to get it up to the stage it is now.

"By doing that, it absolutely, totally, meets the guidelines and objectives of the RSL Queensland in as much to nurture the memory of fallen soldiers and the welfare of the people that are left behind.

"It's that important to us that it rates very highly."

Battle honours

Mr Chuck also says his son's 2nd Commando Regiment was this week awarded in Sydney the battle honour of Eastern Shah Wali Kot.

"It was quite emotional, but it was an exceptionally proud time for us, and for the whole unit," he said.

If Ben was able to comment, I think he'd probably say to me, 'God dad, what's all the fuss?' but I'm sure he'd go back to his mates and say 'bloody hell, it's awesome'

Gordon Chuck

"The commendation bestowed on the boys was quite something.

"It was Benny's birthday on the 18th, the battle honour on the 19th, and the opening of the avenue on the 21st."

"It's been a fairly confronting week for us, but one of which we were exceptionally proud."

Mr Chuck says the Avenue of Honour has meant a great deal to him and his family.

"Personally I found it a very therapeutic exercise - confronting at times," he said.

"Ben did grow up here - went to school in Atherton, used to kite-surf out here on the lake.

"I think actually if Ben was able to comment, I think he'd probably say to me, 'God dad, what's all the fuss?'.